(1)

Outbreaks of classical swine fever have occurred in Slovakia.

(2)

In view of the trade in live pigs and certain pig products, those outbreaks are liable to endanger the herds of other Members States.

(3)

Slovakia has taken measures within the framework of Council Directive 2001/89/EC of 23 October 2001 on Community measures for the control of classical swine fever (2).

(4)

Commission Decision 2008/303/EC of 14 April 2008 concerning interim protection measures relating to Classical Swine Fever in Slovakia (3) was adopted in order to reinforce the measures taken by Slovakia pursuant to Directive 2001/89/EC.

(5)

Commission Decision 2006/805/EC of 24 November 2006 concerning animal health control measures relating to classical swine fever in certain Member States (4) was adopted in response to outbreaks of classical swine fever in feral pigs in those Member States concerned. Those measures should continue to apply in Slovakia.

(6)

The animal health conditions and the certification requirements for trade in live pigs are laid down in Council Directive 64/432/EEC of 26 June 1964 on animal health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine (5).

(7)

The animal health conditions and certification requirements for trade in porcine semen are laid down in Council Directive 90/429/EEC of 26 June 1990 laying down the animal health requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports of semen of domestic animals of the porcine species (6).

(8)

The animal health conditions and certification requirements for trade in porcine ova and embryos are laid down in Commission Decision 95/483/EC of 9 November 1995 determining the specimen certificate for intra-Community trade in ova and embryos of swine (7).

(9)

Commission Decision 2002/106/EC of 1 February 2002 approving a Diagnostic Manual establishing diagnostic procedures, sampling methods and criteria for evaluation of the laboratory tests for the confirmation of classical swine fever (8) provides for risk adapted surveillance protocols.

(10)

Based on the information provided by Slovakia it appears that classical swine fever might have spread already to herds in several areas of that Member State before the outbreaks were discovered. Appropriate investigations to trace, confirm or infirm new infections require sufficient time viewing the nature of the disease. It is therefore appropriate to review the protective measures relating to classical swine fever in Slovakia. In the context of these precautionary measures, it is in particular also appropriate to specify in which cases and under which conditions the transport of pigs may be authorised to Member States and within the territory of Slovakia to prevent the spread of the disease.

(11)

Decision 2008/303/EC should therefore be repealed.

(12)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

(a)

Directive 2001/89/EC, and in particular Articles 9, 10 and 11 thereof;

(b)

Decision 2006/805/EC.

(a)

come from a holding situated in an area ouside the areas listed in the Annex; and

(b)

have been resident on the holding of origin for at least 45 days prior to loading, or since birth if less than 45 days of age; and

(c)

come from a holding where no live pigs have been introduced during the 45 day-period immediately prior to the dispatch of the pigs in question.

(a)

the health certificate provided for in Directive 64/432/EEC accompanying pigs dispatched from Slovakia must be completed by the following:

‘Animals in accordance with Commission Decision C(2008) 1765 of 8 May 2008 concerning certain protection measures relating to classical swine fever in Slovakia’

(b)

the health certificate provided for in Directive 90/429/EEC accompanying boar semen dispatched from Slovakia must be completed by the following:

‘Semen in accordance with Commission Decision C(2008) 1765 of 8 May 2008 concerning certain protection measures relating to classical swine fever in Slovakia’

(c)

the health certificate provided for in Decision 95/483/EC accompanying ova and embryos of swine dispatched from Slovakia must be completed by the following:

‘Ova/Embryos (delete as appropriate) in accordance with Commission Decision C(2008) 1765 of 8 May 2008 concerning certain protection measures relating to classical swine fever in Slovakia’

(a)

vehicles which have been used for the transport of pigs within the areas listed in the Annex or have been used for the transport of those pigs to a slaughterhouse or had entered a holding situated in the areas listed in the Annex where pigs are kept are cleaned and disinfected after each operation;

(b)

the transporter furnish proof to the competent veterinary authority of such disinfection.